Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland

More than 300 students and mentors representing 33 teams from junior high and high schools across Newfoundland and Labrador will compete in the 2019 NL Regional Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Competition at the Marine Institute scheduled for May 2-4. Watch the live stream.

Each team has designed and built an ROV that they’ll pilot in MI’s flume tank to complete a list of underwater tasks, including inspecting and repairing a hydroelectric dam, monitoring water quality, determining habitat diversity, restoring fish habitat, and recovering a 19th-century cannon and identifying the location of its shells.

The Scout class (junior high) event begins Thursday, May 2, with practice sessions and safety inspections before the all-day competition starts 8:30 a.m. on Friday.

The Ranger class (high school) competition begins 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, followed by awards and closing ceremonies. The top two Ranger teams will earn the opportunity to participate in the 2019 MATE International ROV competition scheduled for June 20-22 at the Kingsport Aquatic Center in Kingsport, Tennessee, U.S.

Memorial University’s Eastern Edge Robotics team will also join the top RANGER teams at the International competition, competing in a separate EXPLORER class.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Regional ROV competition is part of a network of 30 regional events worldwide.

The 2019 regional competition is supported by Hibernia Management and Development Co., Equinor, Subsea7, Suncor Energy, Fugro Canada, Chevron Atlantic Canada, SEAMOR Marine Ltd., GRi Simulations Inc., PanGeo Subsea, SubC Imaging, Ocean Quest, Crosbie Salamis Ltd., Cooke Aquaculture, Kraken Robotics Inc., Husky Energy, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University.